PM calls for nation to 'come together' on Australia Day, millions celebrate

Monday, 26 January 2026 10:06

Millions of people are set to celebrate Australia Day, with citizenship ceremonies, barbecues and special events to mark the national holiday.

Anthony Albanese has called for unity on Australia Day, saying today should be a reminder of why Australia is the "best country on earth".

Millions of people are set to celebrate Australia Day, with citizenship ceremonies, barbecues and special events to mark the national holiday.

Albanese said today was an opportunity for the nation to reflect on what makes the country great.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at the 2026 Australian of the Year awards morning tea at The Lodge in Canberra on Sunday 25 January 2026.

"The great gift of Australia Day is that it gives us the perfect opportunity to come together to celebrate everything that unites us as a nation and makes us the best country on earth," Anthony Albanese told The Australian.

"We are all lucky to call Australia home, whether you're Australian by birth or by choice, whether your ancestors have loved and cared for this land for 65,000 years and or whether you're joining our Australian family at citizenship ceremonies across our nation today, pledging your loyalty to our people, our values and our democracy."

There will also be Invasion Day protests around the country, and a March for Australia in Sydney.

The major cities around Australia will be hosting their own events to mark Australia Day.

Millions of Australians will mark Australia Day with celebrations across the country.

Sydney

A WugulOra Morning Ceremony took place at Barangaroo, with several leaders, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, being present.

A First Nations artwork by Garry Purchase called Dancing in the Moonlight was projected on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Opera House was illuminated with a First Nations artwork this morning.

There will be a wide-scale citizenship ceremony at Circular Quay at around 10.30am, with the annual Ferrython, a race between four Sydney ferries, happening at about midday.

The celebrations in Sydney will conclude tonight with an Australia Day live concert on the Sydney Opera House forecourt, with Cody Simpson one of many artists to be performing.

The concert will begin at 7.30pm.

Canberra

The main event in the nation's capital on Australia Day is the National Citizenship and Flag Raising Ceremony on Lake Burley Griffin.

The Prime Minister and Governor General will attend, alongside the Australian of the Year recipients, as the country welcomes some of its new citizens in an eye-catching ceremony.

Canberra will host the annual Flag Raising and Citizenship ceremony on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

It features a helicopter fly-past and a bomber fly-over, as well as a 21-gun salute.

After the ceremony, a free event at Regatta Point will allow Canberra to come together to celebrate Australia Day, and will include a barbecue, live music and other entertainment.

Melbourne

Federation Square will be hosting an all-day event with activities for the family, food and music.

Melburnians will be able to find a spot on the grass to have a picnic, and will be able to watch the Australian Open on the big screen.

There will also be an official flag-raising ceremony, and an open day at Government House.

Adelaide

The extreme heat in Adelaide has seen the cancellation of the Aus Lights on the River and Aus Lights Parade, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees.

The Mourning in the Morning Ceremony still went ahead as planned.

Perth

Perth will have several Australia Day activities, with the festivities concluding in the evening with a drone and fireworks show.

This will take place over the Swan River, with the 30-minute show beginning at 8.30pm.

Brisbane

Brisbane will host a food ceremony this afternoon, which will also feature music and live entertainment.

Called "Great Australian Bites", it will begin at 2pm on Riverside Green at South Bank Parklands and will have pop-up stalls and food trucks sharing food from across the nation, reflecting Australia's multiculturalism.

There will also be a silent disco and live cooking demonstrations.

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